About

In 2010 Jim Schwartz, a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and fee-only financial advisor, realized that nearly half his clients were widowed. Many had discussed a desire to attend a peer-to-peer (widowed-to-widowed) grief support group but could not locate one. Jim’s own exhaustive search for such a support group in the Phoenix area turned up no results. He realized there might be a need for a local widowed-to-widowed grief support group as well other resources such as financial education. Widowed Community Education & Support Services (recently shortened to Widowed Community) was founded in 2010 out of this realization.

Jim’s research into the needs of the widowed community started with the reading of two books of almost identical titles. The first book, Widow to Widow: How the Bereaved Help Each Other, is authored by Dr. Phyllis R. Silverman, researcher and teacher. Dr. Silverman’s research in understanding how the bereaved help each other led to her development of the peer-to-peer model for grief support groups. Her books and bio are found at her website: www.phyllisrsilverman.com.

The second book, Widow to Widow: Thoughtful, Practical Ideas for Rebuilding Your Life, was authored by Genevieve Davis Ginsburg, a counselor in Tucson. Genevieve lost her husband in 1977 and decided to start a peer-to-peer grief support group in Tucson. Her group grew into many groups in Tucson. Genevieve passed away in 1989 but her network of grief support groups is still operating in Tucson today.

In October 2010, the current president of the Tucson grief support groups network helped Jim start the first widowed-to-widowed grief support group in Tempe, Arizona, part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Jim facilitated this group the first year and later had several longer-term attendees step into the facilitator role.

A second widowed-to-widowed grief support group now operates in Sun City West. These support groups are organized through our page at Meetup.com. Over the years our Meetup group has grown to more than 600 widows and widowers. More details on these support groups are available on the Grief Support Groups page of this website.

Documenting the creation of the Tempe group was Jim’s next project. From deciding on a location to running a group meeting and dealing with attendees having the wrong intentions for attending, Jim compiled his experience into aStarter Kit. The Kit includes a Facilitator’s Guide, Frequently Asked Questions, worksheets, marketing materials, sample meeting agenda, and more. The Starter Kit is offered free and has been downloaded by over 1,000 people from all over the world wanting to start their own local Widowed-to-Widowed Grief Support Group.

Jim’s latest initiative is the Widowed Community Financial Blog. Years of working with and advising widows, widowers, and surviving partners has provided a wealth of experience and knowledge in this complicated financial arena. The blog will regularly provide stories and experiences around the financial aspects of losing a spouse or partner and the transition to managing these financial affairs.

To learn about Jim’s professional background and services as a fee-only financial advisor, visit HERE.